Thursday, Jun 21 2018 9:05 AM full issue Executives from the companies said the deal won't negatively affect the marketplace, but outside experts predict that it will chip away at competition to the detriment of patients. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones can't block the merger himself, but his suggestion could have an impact on regulators' final decision. Modern Healthcare: Antitrust Experts, Providers Warn Against CVS-Aetna Merger At Calif. Hearing In other health industry news — Bloomberg: Health Care Is Eating The Economy. Will Walgreens Sate The Dow? This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription. … [Read more...] about Aetna, CVS Defend Merger In Front Of Calif. Insurance Commissioner, But Antitrust Experts Aren’t Buying It

By Bob Egelko Published 2:43 pm, Monday, June 18, 2018 Photo: Mel Melcon / TNS Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Students at a 2017 rally in Highland Park in support of SB 54. Federal authorities have cited the so-called sanctuary state measure in refusing to hand over some criminal suspects to state law enforcement officials. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/TNS) less Students at a 2017 rally in Highland Park in support of SB 54. Federal authorities have cited the so-called sanctuary state measure in refusing to hand over some criminal suspects to state law enforcement ... more Photo: Mel Melcon / TNS Sanctuary battle: Administration accused to trying to interfere with Calif. authority 1 / 1 Back to Gallery The Trump administration’s challenge to California’s sanctuary laws as obstacles to … [Read more...] about Sanctuary battle: Administration accused to trying to interfere with Calif. authority

Associated Press Published 4:29 p.m. UTC Jun 13, 2018 Sacramento, Calif. – An initiative that seeks to split California into three states is projected to qualify for the state’s November ballot. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said late Tuesday the initiative needed 365,880 valid petition signatures to qualify and random sampling projects a number of valid signatures greater than 110 percent of the requirement. The latest proposal for splitting up the Golden State is promoted by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Timothy Draper. It would create the states of Northern California, Southern California and a narrow central coast strip retaining the name California. Even if voters approve the initiative an actual split would still require the approval of the state Legislature and Congress. Certification that the initiative has qualified for the ballot will come on June 28. … [Read more...] about Initiative to split up Calif. projected to make ballot